Fresh Living

Life on an Elimination Diet

It’s Foodie Friday, but alas, sigh, and blah. I’m really not feeling so jazzed on food today, because I’ve just started an “elimination diet” on the advice of a new doctor–an integrative physician–I’ve begun seeing. I make health-driven food choices every day, but for some reason this “diet” thing has got me feeling deprived and kind of down.

I went to see the integrative doc because I’ve been feeling sluggish lately, and I was worrying about the strength of my immune system, especially since last year I got every cold that came calling.

He drew about a gallon of blood, and ran about a zillion tests. And though my propensity for hyperbole tested very high, about a trillion other things tested low. Zinc. Magnesium. Vitamin D. Etc. Etc. I call my diagnosis “mondo depleto” because that’s what the tests showed, again and again. You’re not sick, he told me, but you’re not well either. I nodded vigorously.

Supplements were prescribed, but then the part I was dreading: the results of the food sensitivities tests. “Too many to count,” said the doc, causing a zing of panic to shoot through my body. Please don’t restrict me to the gluten-free aisle at the Whole Foods. Please!

He didn’t, mainly because I have IgG (an immuno-antibody found in the digestive system)-related sensitivities, which is different from an allergy. But he did tell me to stop all cow’s milk dairy and fermented product consumption for the next 6 weeks. Fermented products, like including vinegar, wine, and bread. Even my super-healthy 12-grain bread? Yes. Oh.

This post is skewing negative in the attitude department, but the fact is, I’m grateful to have gotten this information, and I feel empowered to re-plete my reserves and get my body boosted–especially as we’re into flu season.

I’ve been on the supplements and diet for about a week now, and I have to say I am already feeling better able to concentrate, more “plugged in” brain-wise, and I’ve even dropped the 2 pesky pounds that had recently showed up for no discernible reason. Many of us probably walk around with some of the same deficiencies that my tests showed, and don’t feel a thing. But sensitive bodies are so-called for a reason, and I am a believer in leaving no stone unturned when it comes to not just health, but wellness.

Except that the whole no-bread-no-butter-no-wine is still hard for me to deal with on a daily basis. So today on Foodie Friday, I put out the call–if you have food sensitivities or allergies, how do you keep your bliss around food, especially at the beginning of having to make changes in your eating habits?

Dear Holly,
Living in choice, baby, it’s all about choice.
The very first thing I did was to change up my language. You are not ‘having’ to make changes to your eating habits, you are ‘choosing’ to. Good on you!
The distinction between not sick, but not well is a great one.
I’m of a competitive nature so took food changes on as a challenge, my own personal Iron Chef competition. I like food that is not only yummy but also looks great and is fun to eat. So I create, I experiment (yes, of course I fail too – you should consider yourself lucky you were not dining over on ‘Gluten-free, Dairy-free Disgusting Green Soup’ night). That said, I made a knock-out lasagna a whole new way last night and even my carnivorous father asked for seconds.
My best advice is to steer your focus on over to what feels good for your body, and steer it away from all the things you are not eating.
Call Nancy’s bluff and ‘just say yes’! Say yes to the fact that you feel better in a really short time. Say yes to a clearer brain. Say yes to the possible creation of the word ‘re-plete’ and a keen awareness of your hyperbolic tendencies.
If you wanna play Iron Chef, by all means, let me know.
You may lose, but by god, you’ll have fun with all your new food possibilities in the process
Happy Eating,
Pam

http://www.thriveliving.com Pam

Dear Holly,
Living in choice, baby, it’s all about choice.
The very first thing I did was to change up my language. You are not ‘having’ to make changes to your eating habits, you are ‘choosing’ to. Good on you!
The distinction between not sick, but not well is a great one.
I’m of a competitive nature so took food changes on as a challenge, my own personal Iron Chef competition. I like food that is not only yummy but also looks great and is fun to eat. So I create, I experiment (yes, of course I fail too – you should consider yourself lucky you were not dining over on ‘Gluten-free, Dairy-free Disgusting Green Soup’ night). That said, I made a knock-out lasagna a whole new way last night and even my carnivorous father asked for seconds.
My best advice is to steer your focus on over to what feels good for your body, and steer it away from all the things you are not eating.
Call Nancy’s bluff and ‘just say yes’! Say yes to the fact that you feel better in a really short time. Say yes to a clearer brain. Say yes to the possible creation of the word ‘re-plete’ and a keen awareness of your hyperbolic tendencies.
If you wanna play Iron Chef, by all means, let me know.
You may lose, but by god, you’ll have fun with all your new food possibilities in the process
Happy Eating,
Pam

Victoria

Thankfully you have a doctor involved in your elimination diet! About 5 years ago, I decided to go on an elimination diet and eliminated everything in my diet that caused elimination problems. Big problem! I forgot to ADD things to replace what I was cutting out, so essential felt ravishingly hungry, tired, and weak, then became very grouchy… kind of like a bear with little sleep during hibernation time. Over time, and later with a doctor’s help, we discovered everything that comes from a cow (beef, dairy, gelatin), stops me up like a drum. Soybean products are wonderful! BOCA being the best brand on the market for meatless substitutes. They make an awesome spicy chicken patty! Tofuti being the best ice cream. And then the many other items that create health and well-being. Goat milk products, and Sheep cheese are very good for digestion. Good Luck, Girl!

http://blog.beliefnet.com/freshliving Holly

High-five, Pam! I’ve read and re-read your comment, what a rescue from the doldrums. I’ll Iron Chef with you anytime!
And Victoria, good on you for discovering the evil cow-tummy connection, and for the Boca recommendation.
Happy eating, ladies!

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Fresh Living is a natural health and holistic blog for people like you, who care about what you eat, how you feel, and how to be more alive, connected, and in-the-moment. We wade through the latest in mind-body-spirit wellness and plumb ancient wisdom to bring you tools, tips, ideas, and inspiration. Plus, you get to hang out with us as we journey on our paths, one breath at a time.